World Pulses Day 2026; February 10th.

FORUM: “Pulses of the World: From Modesty to Excellence.“ World Pulses Day 2026. The theme was selected to highlight the required transformation – from humble origins to global recognition for their flavours, nutritional attributes and culinary diversity. Pulses bring diversity to our agrifood systems in multiple ways: on the farm, in our diets and through value-added products. They boost biodiversity on farms by enriching cropping systems with more species. With more than 100 types of pulses available, farmers have many options for crop rotations and/or intercropping. Consumers can enjoy pulses as part of healthy diets. They are an affordable, protein-rich food source (19–25 percent protein), packed with essential minerals, high in fibre, and low in fat. These edible seeds are highly versatile and can be processed into different products, such as flour for making bread and pasta, or even protein drinks. That means they provide a range of income opportunities. From improving human health to strengthening soil ecosystems, pulses merit a central place in modern, healthy, and sustainable diets. This year’s theme aims to challenge misconceptions that overshadow these crops and celebrate their true excellence. FAO is running a global campaign to raise awareness about the economic, social and environmental benefits of pulses. Whether you are a policymaker, farmer, educator or a pulses enthusiast, there is a role for you. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #WorldPulsesDay; #LovePulses; #10February.

EVENTS: The global celebration of World Pulses Day 2026.

On February 10th, 2026, from 11.30–15.00 (UTC + 1) at the Miguel Delibes Cultural Centre in Valladolid, Spain. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will held the global observance of the World Pulses Day in collaboration with other relevant partners to underscore the critical importance of these crops in the quest for global food security and nutrition. FAO, the Kingdom of Spain, The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development of the Regional Government of Castile and León (Castilla y León regional government) are facilitating the event, which will be only the second time that this United Nations-designated observance will be held outside FAO Headquarters – an eloquent testimony to Spain’s strong commitment to sustainable agrifood systems. Register to participate!

Agenda Programme of the hybrid event to mark the World Pulses Day 2026 entitled "Pulses of the world: from modesty to excellence.".

11.30–13.00 (UTC + 1) - Scientific and culinary forum | This forum will explore the role of pulses in advancing sustainable agrifood systems and examine approaches to elevating these crops from their modest origins to the realm of gastronomic excellence. Watch the livestream!

14.00–15.00 (UTC + 1) - Opening Ceremony | High level invitees will participate in the official opening of the World Pulses Day 2026. Watch the ceremony!

EXHIBITS: On the occasion of the World Pulses Day 2026, the FAO Museum and Network opens a new exhibition spotlighting a powerful – yet often marginalized – set of crops for healthy diets and sustainable agrifood systems. The exhibition, titled “Pulses of the World: From Modesty to Excellence” after the 2026 World Pulses Day theme, will be on display from 10 February to 10 March 2026 in a dedicated space within the museum, welcoming both FAO staff and external visitors. Through an engaging display of a vast array of pulses and their end products from around the world, the exhibition invites visitors to rediscover the diversity and nutritional benefits of these crops and, uniquely, how the environment is enriched when they are cultivated. From traditional ingredients to novel food products to be displayed, it will be evident that pulses are key ingredients for healthy, modern and sustainable diets. Multimedia content complements the physical displays, offering insights into agricultural production systems, culinary traditions, innovative uses, and opportunities along the value chains for improved livelihoods, all of which are bringing pulses back to the heart of agrifood systems and the much-needed transformations. Pulses are a subgroup of legumes, packed with nutrients and harvested for their delicious dried seeds. They include familiar favourites like beans, chickpeas and peas, but there’s a whole world of pulse types to explore! All come with great benefits for food security, nutrition and health as well as ecosystem services. Pulses are more than just nutritious seeds, they also contribute to achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly those pertaining to food security and nutrition, health, sustainable consumption and production and climate change. Building on the success of the International Year of Pulses (IYP) in 2016 implemented by FAO, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) designated February 10th as World Pulses Day (WPD). Since 2019, FAO has led the annual observance of this important Day. Despite their exceptional nutritional values and immense environmental benefits, their per capita consumption has declined in many developed and developing countries. In several societies, particularly in urban areas, pulses are still associated with low-cost diets or rural cuisine. In 2026, the theme "Pulses of the World: From Modesty to Excellence" challenges misconceptions that overshadow the benefits of pulses and celebrates their true excellence and role in modern, healthy diets and sustainable agrifood systems. The exhibition is open to the public by reservation via this online FORM.

PUBLICATIONS: Explore the newly published “ A guide to World Pulses Day 2026” for ideas, resources and practical tips tailored for different stakeholders. This comprehensive guide is your go-to resource to learn more about pulses and how you can take part in this global initiative. Get the guide!

Terminology matters: Advancing Science to Define an Optimal Pulse Intake - Confusion around the terms “legumes” and “pulses” has been a long-standing problem among consumers, health professionals, and researchers in the United States. The Food and Agricultural Organization defines pulses as legumes that are harvested solely as dry grain and include beans, peas, chickpeas, and lentils. For the first time ever, the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recognized and used the terminology “pulses.” Read the full publication!

STATEMENTS: “There is compelling evidence of the contribution of pulses to healthy and sustainable agrifood systems. We invite Member Nations, international and regional organizations, civil society, and all those with an interest in pulses to engage in efforts that support increased production and consumption, so these benefits can be fully realized.” said Yurdi Yasmi, Director of the FAO Plant Production and Protection Division.

“We are trying to reverse these trends and in this year’s celebration, we aim to highlight the true value of these crops,” said Yurdi Yasmi, Director of the FAO Plant Production and Protection Division, noting that the Day is about boosting the sustainable production and consumption of pulses.

“Pulses are a very important food crops and, in the Autonomous Community of Castile and León, we are committed to promoting them,” said María González Corral, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development of the Regional Government of Castile and León.

World Pulses Day 2022; February 10th.

Pulses to empower youth in achieving sustainable agrifood systems. World Pulses Day 2022.

As the pulses sector includes a wide range of actors, providing employment to rural women and youth in farming communities and to urban families in the manufacturing sector. Pulses, therefore, contribute to creating livelihood opportunities and equity, which are also essential for sustainable agrifood systems. Follow the conversation with the hashtags #worldpulsesDay; #Sustainableagrifoodsystems

World Pulses Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of the nutritional benefits of pulses and their contribution to sustainable food systems and a world without hunger.

VIRTUAL EVENT
10 February 2022, 12:30–14:30 CET
Register | Agenda | Webcast

Pulses contribute to creating economic, social and environmental opportunities for sustainable agrifood systems. But for the successful adoption of a pulse-driven agriculture, young people must be at the centre of any strategy.

Youth can act as a bridge between traditional farming techniques and new technologies, helping to make agriculture more sustainable and nutrition-sensitive. They can also bring added value to the promotion of pulses by shedding light on new business opportunities along the value chain.

The celebration this year under the theme Pulses to empower youth in achieving sustainable agrifood systems will focus on the key role young people play in shaping a better future for food and bring testimonies and perspectives of youth organizations’ representatives.

We see them at the grocery store, the farmer’s market and as side orders served with our favourite dish. In many countries, they are part of the cultural heritage and are consumed on a regular or even daily basis. In other parts of the world, they hardly garner a mention except when served in a soup on a cold winter’s day.

International year of Pulses 2016 (IYP)

  International year of Pulses 2016 (IYP).

2016 as International Year of Pulses.

What are pulses and why are they important crops for food security?

The International year of Pulses 2016 (IYP) aims to heighten public awareness of the nutritional benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production aimed towards food security and nutrition. 

The IYP 2016 creates a unique opportunity to encourage connections throughout the food chain that would better utilize pulse-based proteins, further global production of pulses, better utilize crop rotations and address the challenges in the trade of pulses.

Five things we learned from the launch of the International Year of Pulses

The official launch of the International Year of Pulses took place on 10 November at FAO Headquarters in Rome. With over 200 participants and many more viewers worldwide, the event welcomed high level attendance from government ministries, civil society and the private sector. The speakers and special guests highlighted the many benefits of pulses, and also brought to light some of the obstacles facing the global production, supply and trade of the crops.

Here are five key facts we learned about pulses from the featured guests and speakers during the launch:

1. Pulses are an indispensable crop for vulnerable communities in developing countries.

In developing countries, pulses make up 75 percent of the average diet, compared to 25 percent in industrialized countries. They provide an affordable alternative to animal protein: pulses contain 20 to 25 percent protein by weight, whereas wheat has 10 percent and meat has 30 to 40 percent. Pulses are an increasingly important crop for smallholder farmers, particularly female farmers who hold a larger share in the labour force in pulses farming.

2. Lentils, beans and chickpeas have been an essential part of human diets for centuries.

Archaeological remains found in Anatolia (modern day Turkey) show that ancient agricultural production of chickpeas and lentils dates back to 7000 - 8000 B.C. Today, wild relatives of lentils and peas are still seen in the southeast Anatolian region, and samples have been collected and protected in Turkey’s gene banks.

3. Pulses consumption is declining.

Although world pulses production has increased by over 20 percent in the past 10 years, consumption has seen a slow but steady decline in both developed and developing countries in the same period. This may be partially due to an inability for pulses production to keep pace with a growing population, as well as a shift in many countries to more meat-centric diets.

4. Science and technology innovations can help close the yield gap in pulses production. 

Crop genetic improvement, selective breeding and sustainable intensive farming have been proven to increase yield potential and climate resilience in pulses. Improved varieties of heat-tolerant faba beans in Sudan helped increase production by 60 kilograms per hectare. In Turkey, the specially developed Gokce variety of chickpea withstood severe drought and produced when most other crops failed.

5. Pulses production is highly water efficient, especially when compared to other protein sources.

Production of daal (split peas or lentils) requires 50 litres of water per kilogram. Conversely, one kilogram of chicken requires 4325 litres of water, one kilogram of mutton requires 5520 litres, and one kilogram of beef requires 13000 litres of water during production. Their small water footprint makes pulses production a smart choice in drier areas and regions prone to drought.

For a full recap of the event, read the press release and check out the Storify below.